Folding card table



March 13, 1934. I

FOLDING CARD TABLE Original Filed March 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. c. CALHOUN 1,950,540

March 13, 1934. J c CALHQUN 1,950,540

FOLDING CARD TABLE Original Filed March 10. 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a? I 4 4 2g CALHOUN,

Patent ed Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE Application March 10, 1932, Serial No. 598,028

' Renewed January 17, 1934 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in tables.

An important object of my invention is to provide a table having foldable legs, and so con- 5 structed that the same is sturdy, strong, and attractive in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable table, which may be used in playing cards, or the like, and having a transw parent top permanently held in place, and a decorative element removably supported beneath the transparent top.

A further object of the invention is to provide positive and simple means for retaining the glass top element in place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive means for securely holding the decorative element in position beneath the transparent top element, in a manner to 29 permit of the ready removal of such decorative element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the above-mentioned character, which, by virtue of its several features, is particularly well adapted to successfully compete with other tables, in a highly crowded art.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout 30 the same,

Figure l is a perspective view of a table embodying my invention, the legs being shown in the open position,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the legs collapsed,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the 1egattaching brackets,

Figure 4 is a bottom fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the table,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of one corner of the top frame of the table,

Figure '7 is a perspective View of one corner 46 cleat for holding the transparent top element into position, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the decorative element.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of 50 illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a top frame, which is preferably rectangular, and which may be formed of wood, or any other suitable material. Arranged beneath this top frame is a side frame 11, preferably of corresponding shape,

and these two frames are rigidly secured together by any suitable means.

Arranged within the corners of the frames 10 and 11 are leg-attaching brackets 12, preferably formed of metal. These brackets are rigidly secured to the sides of the frame 11 by screws 13, or the like, passing through openings 14. These brackets are U-shapcd, and their opposite sides have openings 15, for receiving bolts 16, provided upon their inner screw-threaded ends with ad- 5 just-able nuts 17. Legs 18 are mounted within these brackets 12, and are apertured for receiving the bolts 16. The inner ends of these legs are rounded, as shown at 19, so that they will clear the closed ends of the brackets 12, when swung 7 to the closed position. The heads 20 of the bolts 16, are arranged upon the exterior of the side frame 11, and by tightening up the nuts 17, the inner sides of the bracket 12 may be drawn inwardly sufficiently, whereby the sides of the bracket have proper frictional engagement with the ends of the legs. This prevents the leg from swinging too freely, and also takes up any play between the parts, so that the table will not shake, when in use.

Co-acting with the legs are braces 21, including links 22 and 23, pivotally connected with the side frame 11 and legs 18, respectively. These braces are of the usual type and. when the legs are in the open position, will serve to lock them in this position, but these braces may be readily folded to permit of the collapsing of the legs.

The top frame 10 is provided with a large opening 24, for receiving a transparent top element 25, preferably formed of glass. While it is pre- 9 ferred to have the glass transparent, yet the same may be translucent. The inner edge of the top frame is provided adjacent its upper surface with a marginal rabbet 26, affording a lower wall 27. The rabbet 26 receives the glass top element 25, and I preferably arrange a strip 28 of fibrous material, between these parts, such as felt. The rah-bet 26 has such a depth that the upper surface of the glass top element is substantially flush with the upper surface of the top frame 10. Means are provided to securely hold the glass top element in position within the rabbet, so that the table may be readily moved, when its legs are collapsed. These means comprise corner cleats 29, which are preferably formed of metal, such as brass. Each cleat comprises a top 30 and depending sides 31, integral with the top and with each other. The sides 31 have angularly arranged or inclined slots 32. At each inner corher, the top frame 10 has the lower wall 27 cut away, providing a corner recess 33, the walls 34 of which are preferably disposed slightly outwardly of the walls 35 of the channel 26. The recess 34 extends through the top and bottom of the top frame 10, as shown. These recesses are rectangular, and are adapted to receive the sides 31 of the cleats 29. These cleats are placed over the upper surfaces of the corners of the glass top element 25, and are pressed downwardly into the corner recess 33, and since these corner recesses are open at their bottoms, the sides 31 of the cleats are accessible, so that tacks or nails 36 may be passed into the inclined slots 32 and driven into the material of the top frame 10. Since these slots are inclined, it is obvious that the tacks or nails will securely anchor the cleats to the top frame, against upward movement. The cleats are preferably thin, and the tops 30 of the cleats alone are arranged above the glass top element 25. The construction enables the corner cleats to be arranged at the inner corners of the top frame 10, and to have attaching means for the same concealed from view, from the upper surface of the table top.

I provide a decorative element 37, preferably rectangular, and of the shape to fit snugly within the opening of the top frame 10. This decorative element preferably comprises an inner supporting fiat sheet 38, which is relatively stiff, and which may be formed of cardboard, laminated wood, or the like. This relatively stiff sheet or support carries a decorated cover 39, which may be formed of cloth, paper, or the like. This cover may be folded about the stiff supporting sheet 38, and removably secured thereto in any suitable manner. The cover may have formed thereon, by printing or the like, any suitable design for the purpose of ornamentation, and may be in any desired color or colors. For instance, if the table should be finished in blue, the cover 39 may be blue cloth, such as blue silk, having a suitable design printed or embroidered thereon. This design is visible through the transparent glass top element 25. I also contemplate forming the decoration or design upon the supporting sheet or element 38, as by printing or painting the same thereon.

Means are provided to support the element 38 in position beneath and in contact with the glass top element 25, such means including a resilient removable holder, designated as a whole, by the numeral 40, This holder is preferably formed of two sections of resilient wire, which are twisted to provide a handle portion 41, and oppositely arranged converging arms 42. At their ends, these arms are bent upwardly at a right angle, producing offset portions 43, carrying horizontal extensions 44, which preferably slightly diverge. The ends of these extensions are adapted for insertion within openings 45, formed in the inner edges of the ledges 27, by flexing the device.

. When the holding element 41 is placed in position, the extensions 44 engage with and beneath the supporting element 38 and securely press the same upwardly against the lower surface of the glass top element. By engaging the handle portion 41, this entire holding device may be flexed downwardly and readily separated from the ledges 27, subsequently to which the supporting element 38 may be readily removed, so that a new ornamental design may be used, if desired.

The table may be advantageously employed as a card table, but the invention is not restricted to this use. The legs are readily collapsible so that the table may be conveniently moved. The glass top element 25 is securely and permanently attached to the top frame and therefore will not be displaced when the table is moved. The decorative element is visible through the glass top element, producing an attractive and pleasing effect. The holding means for the decorative element is such that the decorative element may be readily removed when desired, so that a new or different decorative element may be employed.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A table comprising, a top frame affording a main opening, said top frame being provided at its inner edge and upper surface with a marginal rabbet affording a lower wall, said lower wall of the rabbet being cut away at the corners of the top frame for aifording recesses extending through the top and bottom surfaces of the top frame, a transparent top element mounted within the rabbet and resting upon the lower wall of the rabbet with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the top frame, corner cleats for holding the transparent top element in place, each corner cleat comprising a top and sides, said sides having openings formed therein, the sides of each corner cleat being adapted to be inserted downwardly into the corresponding corner recess whereby such sides are accessible from the bottom of the top frame, attaching elements passed through the openings in said sides and engaging with the top frame to hold each corner cleat in place, and a decorative element arranged beneath the transparent top element and visible through the same.

2. A collapsible card table or the like, comprising, a top frame affording a main opening and provided at its inner edge and upper surface with a marginal rabbet affording a lower wall, said lower wall of the rabbet being cut away at the corners of the top frame for affording recesses extending through the top and bottom surfaces of the top frame, a transparent top element mounted within the rabbet and resting upon the lower wall of the rabbet with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the top frame, corner cleats for holding the transparent top element in place, each corner cleat comprising a top and sides, said sides having openings formed therein, the sides of each corner cleat being adapted to be inserted downwardly into the corresponding corner recess whereby such sides are accessible from the bottom of the top frame, attaching elements passed through the openings in said sides and engaging with the top frame to hold the corner cleat in place, a decorative element arranged beneath the transparent top element and visible through the same, detachable means for holding the decorative element in place, and permitting of its ready removal, and foldable legs carried by the top frame.

3. A card table or the like, comprising a top frame affording a main opening, said top frame being provided at its inner edge and upper surface with a rabbet affording a lower wall, oppositely arranged portions of said lower wall of the rabbet having pairs of recesses formed therein, a transparent top element inserted within the rabbet with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the top frame, means for securely holding the transparent top element within the rabbet, a decorative element inserted within the main opening beneath the transparent top element, and a holding device for supporting the decorative element, said holding device comprising a pair of wire strands having their intermediate portions twisted to afford a handle portion and oppositely extending pairs of arms, said pairs of arms being adapted to be mounted within the pairs of recesses.

4. A card table or the like, comprising a top frame affording a main opening, a transparent top element covering the main opening, means for securely attaching the transparent top element to the top frame, said top frame being provided beneath the transparent top element and upon its inner edge with oppositely arranged pairs of recesses, a decorative element inserted within the main opening beneath the transparent top element, and a device for supporting the decorative element comprising a pair of wire strands having their intermediate portions twisted to afford a handle and oppositely arranged pairs of outwardly diverging arms, said strands being bent at the ends of the arms to afiord generally vertical portions and horizontal extensions arranged in a plane above said arms, said horizontal extensions having their free ends adapted for insertion within the pairs of recesses, and legs carried by the top frame.

5. A table, comprising a top frame affording a main opening, said top frame being provided at its inner edge and upper surface with a marginal rabbet afiording a lower wall, said lower wall of the rabbet being cut away at the corners of the top frame for affording recesses extending through the top frame, a top element mounted within the rabbet and resting upon the lower wall of the rabbet, corner cleats for holding the top element in place, each corner cleat comprising a top and a depending portion, the depending portion of each corner cleat being adapted to be inserted downwardly into the corresponding corner recess whereby such depending portion is accessible from the bottom of the top frame, and attaching means for securing the depending portion to the top frame to hold each corner cleat in place.

JOHN CHILES CALHOUN. 

